Vietnam, UK promote trade, green technology cooperation
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen
Hong Dien hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 13 for UK Prime Minister’s Trade
Envoy for Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei Mark Garnier and UK Consul
General in Ho Chi Minh City Emily Hamblin to discuss two-way trade toward
celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this
year.
Dien congratulated the UK on completing the fifth talks
on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP) in Vietnam’s southern province of Kien Giang in early
March.
Through this event, Vietnam reaffirmed strong
support for the UK's accession to the deal and the further deepening of not
only diplomatic ties but also friendly and multi-faceted cooperation between
the two countries, he said.
He noted the trend of green transition in
bilateral trade and called on the UK to support the transfer of green
technologies to Vietnam, promote trade in eco-friendly products, meet market
standards, and take advantage of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).
Dien also had detailed discussions on the
plans set for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, including a
series of events jointly organised by the two countries’ agencies. He hoped
that they would be a success, marking a brilliant year of development in bilateral
relationship.
Thanking the UK for joining other countries to provide 15.5
billion USD for Vietnam’s transition to clean energy and emission reduction,
the minister suggested both sides immediately issue a roadmap and necessary
mechanisms to use this fund effectively.
The host proposed cooperating with the UK in the development of
nuclear power, human resources training, technological transfer and policy
counselling, especially producing equipment for renewable energy, technology in
energy transition and smart grid operation centres.
Garnier, for his part, hoped that Vietnam would continue helping
the UK call on other countries to complete CPTPP negotiations.
He
congratulated Vietnam on being the second country in ASEAN, behind Indonesia,
to successfully sign the Political Declaration on Just Energy Transition
Partnership (JETP) with the UK, EU, and G7 countries.
Hailing Dien’s
proposals, he affirmed the UK's commitment to sharing its experience,
expertise, patents and technology with Vietnam to enable the country to produce
products in service of renewable energy, adding that the two countries are stepping up the establishment of an offshore wind development
centre as well as embarking on a series of cooperative activities to share
experience in this field.
Following the meeting, both sides could
quickly build a cooperation programme to effectively realise reached agreements
as soon as possible, the host said.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, two-way
trade between Vietnam and the UK hit 6.83 billion USD in 2022, up 3.4% annually.
Of which, Vietnam's exports rose by 5.2% to over 6.06 billion USD. However, the
UK's exports to Vietnam decreased by 9.2% to 771 million USD.
As of
December 20, 2022, the UK recorded 507 projects in Vietnam with a total capital
of over 4.19 billion USD, ranking 15th out of 141 countries and
territories investing in the country. Last year, the UK had a total of 53 new projects
worth 64.33 million USD in Vietnam./.